AF Association +44 (0) 1789 867 502 [email protected] www.afa.org.uk

Recovering from Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

time after your ablation. THIS DOES NOT MEAN This fact sheet has been written and prepared IT HAS FAILED. If you experience pain, diffi culty Recovering from Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation - Patient information by patients, for patients, in the hope of allaying breathing or are passing out, then please contact many of the fears and anxieties which often the arrhythmia nurse and/or team where your occur following ablation for atrial fi brillation. ablation was carried out. Palpitations and other It is the result of peer discussion and hopefully symptoms should gradually fade over time. In fact includes many of the “things nobody told me” many patients found that even six to nine months which had caused worry in the weeks and later their quality of life was still improving. months following an ablation. Sore Throat Ablation works by creating scar tissue on the inside surface of the heart which blocks the rogue You may fi nd that you have a sore throat after electrical impulses which cause AF. The scars your procedure. This is probably due to having can be made by heat or intense cold but do not had a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) form instantly. They can take up to three months during the procedure to check for any clots or more and that period is often referred to as which may be present in your heart. It may also the blanking period. You may therefore still get be caused by breathing equipment if you had symptoms during this time that can still settle a general anaesthetic. Treat as any other sore down subsequently. throat and it will soon pass.

Rest Migraine Aura Although you may not have a great scar to A migraine may shock and worry you but is show it, your heart has suff ered some trauma perfectly normal. Not everybody suff ers from this and will take time to recover. The general but it is quite common usually about two to three recommendation is to take things very easy days after the ablation. It results from the trans- for the fi rst week (short walks and only a single septal puncture needed to gain access from the fl ight of stairs, generally within the house, or not right to left atria. You may fi nd vision disturbance very far outside), and a slow gentle progression with either fl ashing lights or blind spots in your following that. Some very fi t or younger patients sight often with a following headache. Don’t may fi nd that they can return to work quite worry, you are not having a stroke or going blind quickly but many others take much longer. Above and the symptoms will pass after a week or so. all listen to your body and don’t push yourself too However, if you are concerned then contact the hard. If you are still working then discuss your team who did your ablation/arrhythmia nurse, condition with your employer and explain that the your GP, or if you feel very unwell then go to A&E. situation may be fl uid. Do not lift anything heavy for at least a week. Above all, you are not a failure Ectopic Beats and everyone’s recovery is very individual, so do Ectopic beats, which feel like missed beats, can be not be rushed. common following ablation. They are considered harmless but can be distressing when frequent. Palpitations This does not mean that your ablation has failed. Because the heart does not heal immediately Try slow deep breathing. Use your diaphragm you may experience some palpitations, ectopic rather than shoulders and breath slowly and beats (missed beats) or even runs of AF in the deeply for at least fi ve minutes, slowing your breathing down to less than six breaths a minute.

Founder & Chief Executive: Trudie Lobban MBE, FRCP (Edin) endorsed by by

www.heartrhythmalliance.org © AF Association Registered Charity No. 1122442 Affi liate Published September 2010, Reviewed June 2021 1 Please remember that this publication provides general guidelines only. Individuals should always discuss their condition with a healthcare professional. If you would like further information or would like to provide feedback please contact AF Association. AF Association + 44 (0) 1789 867 502 [email protected] www.afa.org.uk

Groin/Leg Bruises Depression, Anxiety, Worry Recovering from Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation - Patient information You may fi nd that you get a colourful bruise where Many patients suffer with anxiety post-ablation the entry wound for the catheter is. You may worrying that it has not worked due to some of even fi nd a hard lump there. Don’t worry as this the above mentioned symptoms. This can be a is quite normal. When it fi nally fades away you highly emotional time and these feelings are not know that your heart is beginning to heal so it can uncommon, so please do not worry if you fall into be a useful guide to when you can start pushing this category. Try to remain positive but if you your recovery a little more. However, if you are find that you have such di fficulties, then do talk to concerned at all about infection (pus, increasing your doctor and look into things like mindfulness redness of the area, temperature, poor wound and cognitive behavioural therapy which can be healing), or the wound site in general, contact most helpful. your arrhythmia nurse/ablation team or GP. When to seek medical help Fast Heart Rate There are a few rare but potentially serious It is not uncommon to fi nd that your heart rate complications that can occur after an AF ablation. is a faster than before your AF started and you These will have been discussed with you before had your ablation. Typically, this may be around the ablation is done. If you feel very unwell 85-90 bpm which is a common side eff ect of the or experience any new or unusual symptoms ablation. It may take six to eight months (or even such as sudden weakness in an arm/leg and/or longer) to return fully to earlier levels but don’t unexplained fevers it is worth seeking medical worry, it will normalise. Again it does not mean attention urgently. If you are just not sure about that the ablation has failed. some symptoms that do not bother you too much then you can always seek help less urgently from Bloating and Digestive Problems the arrhythmia nurse/ablation team or your GP. Some people fi nd that they suff er from abdominal discomfort post-ablation. This is probably caused by irritation to the oesphagus during the procedure, or sometimes to a nerve near the heart known as the vagus nerve. It will usually disappear within a few days but can be alleviated with normal indigestion remedies . Alternatively, see your GP for other remedies if needed.

Founder & Chief Executive: Trudie Lobban MBE, FRCP (Edin) endorsed by by

www.heartrhythmalliance.org © AF Association Registered Charity No. 1122442 Affi liate Published September 2010, Reviewed June 2021 2 Please remember that this publication provides general guidelines only. Individuals should always discuss their condition with a healthcare professional. If you would like further information or would like to provide feedback please contact AF Association.